Panther Creek Backpacking Trip

So, I took Jennifer and Winston on a short backpacking trip to Panther Creek Falls about a week ago. It was Jennifer's first overnight backpacking trip, and Winston's second. I had rented a tent for us to sleep in, but REI (I love this store) had a sale on hammocks. So we decided to leave the tent and try hammocks. I loved it!!! SOOOOO much lighter than a tent, and I got to look right up and check out the stars. The only drawback was that it took me a while to get use to sleeping in it as opposed to being flat on the ground. Jennifer and Winston were both scared they would be easy bear snacks. No matter how many times I tried to reassure them nothing would get them they still were nervous. I was very porud of both of them for doing it though. We had a great time, but are totally worn out after having hiked for three straight weekends. This weekend we shall just be resting, and looking forward to going again.

That silvery mass in the orange hammock is the wifey sawing logs. She said she couldn't fall asleep until it was daylight because of her fear that she would be a bear snack.

Winston in his little cocoon. He actually loves the hammock so much we have set it up at home under is bunkbed. He just chills in it and watches t.v.

We took Bolo our pet lab. He still hasn't really figured out he's supposed to be a water dog. I'm holding him here in this photo.

Here is Bolo right next to his very favorite human, mommy. He is never more than a few feet away from her if he can help it.

This is next to our campsite. It was very relaxing laying in the hammock listening to the waterfall.

Winston was trying to spearfish with a homemade spear. A typical 10 yo boy.

I bought this machette before we left for $15. Who knew Winston would have soooo much fun chopping everything in sight including a small pine tree about 20 ft. tall (see it behind him).

Bolo doing what he does best...nothing. He really is a great dog though. He just wants to be loved on.

Winston chillaxin'.

The poor man's ultra-light dual-fuel backpacking stove by Rick Brannan Issue #124

Here is the link to Backwoods Home Magazine for the instructions on how to make your own camp stove.

The poor man's ultra-light dual-fuel backpacking stove by Rick Brannan Issue #124

Homemade camp stove vs. Survival Stove

Today I created a homemade lightweight camping stove.

I took two Foster's beer cans and cut the bottoms off. I then took the bottom of one and drilled several holes around the outer edge, plus 5 holes in the center. I then placed a small amount of attic insulation in the bottom can. Next I put the bottom with holes drilled into it inside the other. I filled the can with HEET which is a fuel line deicer, and extremely combustible.

I got this idea originally from a web site called www.itstactical.com. I then saw how to make it in the latest issue of Backwoods Home magazine (July/August 2010). I decided to test this stove against a small pocket / survival stove I bought from REI for about $10. It's called an Esbit Pocket stove (see below). It was about 8:00 p.m., and 85 degrees out when I did this comparison. The humidity was typical of Georgia for this time of year (which means A Lot!!!). There was no wind, and the weather was quite mild.

 Now to put the two to a test. I filled the beer can stove with the HEET and placed a tin cup filled with 2 cups of cold water on it to see how long it would take to reach a rolling boil.

It took a total of 10 minutes and 46 seconds for the water to come to a rolling boil. The stove continued to burn itself out after about a total of 15 minutes.

Next up was the Esbit Pocket Stove. This compact little stove is made in Germany, and uses solid fuel cubes as fuel. I placed another 2 cups of cold water in the tin cup, and began the test again. The packaging states that this unit will bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in under 8 minutes. Sadly my high expectation were dashed. after 11 minutes all I achieved were small bubbles at the bottom of the tin.

Needless to say the homemade beer can stove won the competition. Both units cost less than $15, and both are lightweight, compact, and easy to use. I may carry both when I go hiking next. I think the Esbit would have reached a rolling boil if I had used two fuel cubes at once, or if I was only trying to purify 1 cup. I still like the unit, and I don't think you can beat the price. But the homemade stove will be much more fun for you to make. One it's always good to challenge yourself. Two it's even more of a challenge to make one after drinking 2 Foster's oil cans!!! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

The Ides of March...

Well this month has been a good month. Winston was in his second karate tournament. It was the ICMA 2010 Tournament. Winston is a red belt now, and competed at a higher level. I am proud to say he came in first place in both forms and sparring!!! I am a very proud father.

Today Winston and I made some vinegar/baking soda bombs in water bottles. VERY COOL!!! It makes a very loud BOOM, and it was just fun blowing stuff up with Winston.

Update...

Well it's been a while, so I guess I'll update this site again. To start I had gastric bypass surgery on April 13th of this year. To date I've lost 85 lbs.!!!!!!! This time last year I was 420 lbs., and just before the surgery I weighed in at 410 lbs. As of today I'm 325 lbs. I have dropped from a 54" waist to a 46" waist. None of my clothes fit, and I gave my beautiful wife all my pants to take to the Goodwill. I feel like a whole new person. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel great!

With all this weight loss I can finally do things that I struggled to do before. On Saturday me and the family went hiking for the second time in a week. I was able to do the entire 5 mile hike without having to stop and rest my back, knees, ankles, or feet. I love it!

I'm really looking forward to getting back into backpacking, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities that I had trouble doing, or was unable to do before. If anyone is interested in joining me on any of these just let me know. I'm always up for a new challenge.

My Review of Esbit Pocket Stove

Originally submitted at REI

Ideal for your home or auto emergency kit, this pocket-size stove folds down to a small, compact size.

Esbit Pocket Stove

Good deal.

By SunDevil98 from Winder, GA on 6/27/2010

 

3out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Stable, Compact, Lightweight, Durable

Cons: Doesn't Do What it Says

Best Uses: Backpacking, Hiking, Car Camping

Describe Yourself: Military/Law Enforcement

Thsi is a nice lightweight backpacking or survival stove. It's extremely compact, and appears to be very durable. My biggest complaint is that it did not do what the package claimed. The box claims the unit will bring 1 pint (2 cups) of water to a rolling boil in under 8 minutes. I tried this out on my back poarch today. after 11 minutes the fuel tab was almost gone and was losing heat. I had the water in a tin backpacking cup, and the most it did was a series of light bubbles at the bottom of the cup. I never saw a rolling boil.I think if I had used two tabs of fuel I might have gotten the rolling boil, but that kind of defeats the purpose to me as a backpacking or survival stove. If your water is already clean then this would be perfect to cook with, but without two or fuel tabs you're out of luck for purifying. I would still recommend this product due to its sturdy, lightweight design, and a cost of only $10!!! Plus, the fuel tabs can be used in a survival situation to start a fire. Had it brought the 2 cups of water to a rolling boil I would have rated it 5 out of 5 stars, but as it is I only give it 3.

Begining of trial.

Tags: Using Product

End of trial @ 11 mins plus.

Tags: Using Product

(legalese)

It's about time...

Ok, so I haven't been the best at keeping this blog up to date. I shall not make excuses, but it wasn't always something I could help. However, we now have a new computer, and Internet, so I will do my best to update as often as I can (maybe).

So let me cover the time from last last post in July of 2009. Since then my beloved grandmother, Francis Kimmie Phelps, passed away. It actually occurred at the end of July and was very difficult on the family. She was a wonderful woman, and my grandfathers only true love. They were married on December 25, 1940, and stayed so since her death. How many people can say they were married to their true love for 68 years!!! I remember asking one day when I was young how they stayed married for so long (both my parents have been married 4 times). She responded saying "We didn't give up." She explained how she and my grandfather never quit on each other because they made a vow to God that through good and bad they would stay devoted to each other. We will all miss her. I love you Momma!!!

Well while we were out in Texas for this unfortunate event we found the time to drive to Arizona to celebrate my friend Bob's birthday. It was a loooong drive, especially since we had already driven from GA to TX, but it was all worth it. We had a great, although rather hectic time, in AZ. I got to see a lot of old friends. My dear friend Suzie from CA came out, and I got to see my old college buddy Timmy G. Plus I got to see the Tim's, and Bob Sr., and of course the only woman that can truly deal with Bob, his wonderful girlfriend Jen. It was a great time!!!

While out there we were able to go to the Grand Canyon (Jennifer and Winston had never seen it before). We also saw meteor crater, Montezuma's Castle, and my Alma mater Arizona State University!!!





We had a wonderful time in AZ, and it was great to see everyone. Thanks Bob and Jen for having us.

After that Jennifer and I celebrated our 7th anniversary in October. I can't believe we've been married that long, and she still puts up with me!!! I have a great wife, and I'm very lucky to have her. I love her very much!!!

We had a great Christmas. I gave the wifey a real deal SLR digital camera. I got her a Nikon D-40. Thankfully she loves it. I gave Winston a ghillie suit and a 20 gauge shotgun. What more could a 10 year old boy ask for??? I love getting them stuff.

It is now February and work is the same. Jen is in her second year of homeschooling Winston. They both seem to really enjoy it, and the more stupid things I see school boards across the nation doing, the more I'm glad he's home schooled. We have one more payment left on the Honda, and then it's just the student loan to go. I can't wait! If it all goes according to plan I should have that paid off in 24 months. I am striving to live a debt free life. Oh the joy that would bring!!!

Well I believe that is all I will write for now. I would go into political ramblings, but I think I will save that for another time. Maybe tomorrow.